Can opener and dispensing device



Jafi. 18, 1938. o, W 2,105,575

CAN OPENER AND DISPENSING DEVICE 0 Filed July 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet jib 1 1938. o. N. WISWELL CAN OPENER AND DZISPENSING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application July 14, 1934, Serial No. 735,260

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for dispensing canned fluids and relates more particularly to a device for opening sealed containers or cans and for pouring or dispensing the contents therefrom. It is a general object of this invention to provide a simple, practical and improved device for opening cans and for facilitating the pouring or draining of the contents from the cans.

Lubricating oils, etc., are being marketed in sealed cans to prevent them from being adulterated or substituted for by inferior products. Various forms of can opening devices have been introduced for opening the cans of lubricating oils and for facilitating the dispensing of their contents. The can opening devices of this character now in use perforate or form openings in either the upper or lower ends of the cans and leave the other parts of the cans whole and unmutilated. Unscrupulous dealers and others have removed the mutilated ends of cans opened by such devices and after refilling the cans with cheap or inferior products have replaced the can ends and again marketed the refilled cans, representing that they contained the products described by the original labels.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for opening cans that cuts openings in both and end wall anda side wall of a can to positively render the can unfit for refilling or re-use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that cuts a large unobstructed pouring opening in an end of a can upon being pressed or forced on the can, then forms an effective spout for pouring the contents from the can,- and that 33 operates to automatically cut a long mutilating slit or opening in the side wall of the can upon being disengaged from the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can opening and dispensing device of the char- 40 acter mentioned including a tubular spout shaped and formed to constitute a convenient handle for facilitating the handling and operating of the device, said spout being adapted to being inserted in the oil filling pipe of an engine, or the 5 like, to support the device and can thereon as the contents of the can are being drained into the crank case of the engine. The spout of the device of this invention is'longitudinally curved to comfortably fit the hand and is provided with finger engaging ribs to resemble what is commonly known as a pistol grip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can opening device of the character mentioned that includes a simple and particularly effective 55 cutter for cutting the pouring or dispensing opening in the can, said cutter being firmly braced and held rigid with respect to the. spout and guide and being attached to the spout so that it may be easily removed for replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned embodying a novel and improved means for punching or forming an opening in an end of a can for admitting atmospheric pressure to facilitate or accelerate the pouring of the contents from the can.

It is another object of the invention to provide a can opener and dispensing device of the character mentioned that tightly seals with the wall of the can around the opening formed by the principal cutter to prevent the leakage of the fluid and prevent soiling of the can and device during the dispensing or pouring operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned thatembodies a novel mutilating cutter that is inoperative during the forcing of the principal cutter through the end wall of the can to form the pouring opening, that aids in dependably retaining the device on the can when the can is inverted to dispense its contents and that automatically cuts a long slit or opening in the side wall of the can when the device is removed from the emptied can.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved can opener and fluid dispensing device that is simple and inexpensive and that comprises a simple integral .body member constituting a spout, a handle and a guide for guiding the cutter into the can wall.

Other objects and features of the invention will be better and fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms of the invention, throughout which description reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device of this invention illustrating the punch cutting an air vent in the upper end of the can. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the device after having been forced downwardly on the can to actuate the principal cutter through the upper wall of the can. Fig. 3 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of the inner side or the device taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the lower portion of the device showing the mutilating cutter in operation during the removal of the device from the can. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal detailed sectional 4 view of the device illustrating another type of can multilating cutter. Fig. 7 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 'I-I on Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similiar to Fig. 6 illustrating still another form of mutilating cutter, and Fig. 9 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 99 on Fig. '8.

The form of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, includes generally, a body I0 comprising a spout and handle A, and a guide B, a main or principal cutter II on the body In for forming a pouring opening in a'can C, a means or cutter I2 on the guide B for mutilating the side wall W of the can and means I3 for making an air inlet opening in the end E of the can.

The body I0 carries the two cutters. and I2 and therefore constitutes a cutter support or cutter supporting member. In the form of the invention being described the body I0 carries the means I3 and comprises two main parts, namely the handle and spout A and the guide B for guiding the principal cutter II. The support or body III may be an integral casting of aluminum or other suitable material. The spout and handle A of the body is an elongate tubular part having a longitudinal opening I l. The central longitudinal axis of the spout A is inclined upwardly and outwardly considering the device in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The

spout A is proportioned to be readily inserted in the oil filling pipe or receiver of the crank case of an engine.

It is an important feature of the invention that the spout A is shaped and designed to constitute an effective and convenient handle. The combined handle and spout A is preferably longitudinally curved and generally cylindrical in its cross section. The inner side or surface of the spout A that faces upwardly to some extent, due to the inclination and curvature of the spout, is preferably roughened or grooved so that the palm of the hand which engages this surface has less tendency to slip. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings transverse or circumferentially extending notches I5 are provided in the upper surface of the spout A. The grooves or notches IS in addition to benefiting the oper ators grip of the spout prevents slipping or tilting of the spout A when it is inserted in the oil filling pipe or tube of an engine for the purpose of draining the oil from the can C. The outer surface of the spout A which faces downwar y and outwardly is engaged by the four fin the users hand and is provided with three s transverse or circumferential ribs IS. The I6 are longitudinally spaced and are related to be received between the fingers of the hand insuring a firm positive grip on the spout.

The guide B of the body It is provided to engage the side wall W of the can C to guide the principal cutter II to form an opening the end E that extends inwardly from the peripheral bead X of the can. The guide B is an elongate part projecting or continuing downwardly from the outer lower end portion of the spout A. In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawings the guide B is somewhat wider than the spout A. The inner side I! of the guide B is concave to properly slidably engage the cylindrical side wall W of the typical can C. It is to be understood that the guide B may be shaped to adapt the device for opening cans of various sizes and configurations. The opposite vertical edges of the guide B may be straight and substantially parallel while the lower end of the guide is pref erably curved asillustrated in the drawings.

The principal cutter II is adapted to be forced or driven through the end wall E of the can C to cut a large unobstructed opening through which the contents of the can may be drained when the can is tipped or inverted. The cutter II is attached to the support or body II] to have its shank extend into the opening I4 of the spout A and to have its active portion exposed at the inner side of the guide B. The principal cutter II is substantially U-shaped in transverse cross section having spaced substantially parallel side parts I8 and a curved transverse part I9 joining or connecting the side parts I8. The outer or lower end of the cutter II is pointed to readily enter or perforate the can wall E. The longitudinal edges 20 of the side part I8 are inclined and converge toward a point ZI on the lower end of the transverse part I9. The inclination of the edges 20 is increased adjacent the point 2I and the part I9 is inclined inwardly or away from the guide B adjacent the point 2| as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawings. In accordance with the invention the edges 20 are flat and substantially normal to the adjacent side surfaces of the parts I8 and I9 so that their outer corners have an effective shearing action when the cutter is forced into the can wall E. Further, the flat normal edges 20 flatly bear against the tab or flap F cut by the cutter II to positively roll the flap back and leave the opening formed by the cutter entirely unobstructed.

The cutter II is preferably inclined so that its transverse part I9 is inclined downwardly and outwardly toward the inner side I! of the guide B. This inclination of the cutter II causes the side wall W and the bead X of the can to be pinched or gripped between the cutter part I9 and the guide B. The gripping engagement of the cutter II and the guide B with the wall of the can aids in detachably holding the device on the can when the can is handled and inverted during the draining of its contents. The point 2I of the cutter I I may be bevelled or sharpened at its inner side and is spaced from the guide B to enter the can wall E adjacent the bead X upon the device being pressed downwardly on the can. The guide B engages the exterior of the can to position the point 2! of the cutter, and as the cutter moves downwardly the guide engages the can wall W to aid the cutter and to cause the cutter to form unobstructed opening in the end of the side parts I 8 of the cutter project upwardly li'lO the spout opening I4 and bear against subsi "nad flat parallel faces 22 at the mouth of the opening. This engagement of the cutter parts ill with the faces 22 prevents lateral movement or rocking of the cutter relative to the body Ill. The transverse part I9 of the cutter seats against the wall of the opening I 4 and is slightly curved to follow the longitudinal curvature of the opening. The side parts I8 are cut away or cut back at 23 to allow the curved portion of the part I9 to enter the opening I4 for a considerable disinclined, being flush with the edges 20. The lip 26 enters the opening formed by the cutter II and bears and seals against the flap F in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The side parts l8 of the cutter are flared outwardly adjacent their upper ends to receive the lip 26 and their flared portions provide inclined shoulders 21. The shoulders 21 bear or wedge against the side walls of the opening formed in the can Wall E by the cutter to provide a fluid tight seal about the cutter and to aid in retaining the cutter in the opening. The upper side of the lip 26 forms a rest for theiusers thumb when he operates the device. Shoulders 28 are provided on the side parts l8 to bear against the edge of the body at the base of the lip 26. The shoulders 28 receive the downward thrusts transmitted from the body to the cutter II when the device is forced or pressed downwardly on the can C to force the cutter through the wall E.

Suitable openings 29 are'provided in the side walls of the cutter adjacent the shoulders 21 to permit the fluid or oil to drain out from around the cutter when the can is inverted to drain its contents through the spout A. With the cutter H in its fully actuated position the openlugs 29 are adjacent the inner side of the can wall E and allow the free drainage of fluid from around the cutter. An airvent or opening 9 is provided in the lip 26 to communicate with the passage l4 of the spout. The opening 9 is positioned to be immediately outside of the can wall E when the cutter is in its fully operated position and admits air to the passage 4 and the interior of the can to facilitate the pouring of the contents of the can. Depressions or recesses 30 are provided in the body It] around the shank of the cutter where it enters the opening l4 to receive and trap any liquid that may leak from around the cutter during the pouring of the contents from the can C. In assembling the cutter H on the body |0 its shank is forced or pressed in the opening l4 so that the curved part I 9 is sprung into position in the opening l4. The bolt 24 and nut 25 holds the cutter against displac ment. The lip 26 tightly bears outwardly against the side parts 8 to seal therewith and to brace and reinforce the cutter.

The cutter l2 for mutilating or cutting the side wall W of the can is provided on the guide B of the; support or body 0 and operates to cut a long sliti S in the wall W when the device is pulled or removed from the can C. The lower end of the guide B is provided with an outwardly projecting lug 3|. A longitudinal saw-cut or slot 32 extends into the lower end of the guide B and passes through the lug 3|. The cutter I2 is arranged in the slot 32 and is pivotally supported by a pin 33 carried in openings in the lug 3|. The means or cutter I2 is provided with'a laterally projecting stop 34 to engage the fiat lower end of the lug 3| to stop the cutter in a position where it does not cut through the wall W when the device is forced downwardly on the can.v the cutter |2 leading upwardly from the stop 34 is provided with spaced teeth project through the slot 32 to engage the can wall W as the device is moved downwardly on the can to urge the cutter l2 to pivot thereby holding the stop 34 against the lower end of the lug 3|. The teeth 35 are arranged in a curved series which is eccentric having a center of curvature spaced from the pivotal center of the cutter 2. A sharpened edge 36' extends outwardly from the upper end of the series of teeth 35. The edge 36 extends at substantially right angles to the series The edge of 35. The teeth 35 3 of teeth 35, and joins the point or the outer end of the uppermost tooth.

After the contents have been drained from the can C and it is desired to disengage the device from the can the device is pulled or moved upwardly to free it from the can. During the initial portion of this upward movement of the device relative to the can C the teeth 35 cooperate with the can wall W to cause the cutter I2 to pivot in a direction to force or project the abrupt end of the" edge 36 through the wall W. A stop 31 is providedon the cutter l2 to engage the outer surface of the guide B to limit pivoting of the cutter |2 in a position where the edge 36 projects downwardly and inwardly and extends through the wall W of the can; This position of the cutter I2 is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

35 present or bear inwardly against the can wall W when the device is in its operative position on the can to assist in holding the device against displacement from the can. The cutter |2 does not perforate or cut through the wall W when the device is pressed on the can to form the principal pouring opening and automatically cuts The means l3 for making an air inlet opening to punch a comparatively small hole in the upper end wall E of the can before the cutter H is forced or driven through the end of the can. The means l3 includes a longitudinally extending enlargement or rib 40 on the outer side of the guide B. A longitudinal opening 4| is provided in the rib 40 and is inclined upwardly and inwardly relative to the guide B. A cutter or punch 42 is fixed in the opening 4| and projectsdownwardly from the lower end of the rib 40. The end or point 43 of the punch 42 is preferably-bevelled. In accordance with the invention the projecting pointed or bevelled end of the punch 42 is spaced outwardly from the guide B to provide a space between the guide and punch to receive the bead X of the can. To form or punch an opening in the end E of the can to admit atmospheric presh sure to the can,

the device is arranged in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings so that the point 43 of the punch 42 engages the can wall E immediately within the bead X. The combination handle and spout A is then struck or pressed downwardly to force the punch 42 through the Wall E.

When it is desired to open the can C for the purpose of draining or discharging its contents the punch 42 may be driven through the upper end E of the can in the manner just described to admit atmospheric pressure to the interior of the can. When the device is provided with the opening 9 it may not be necessary to cut an opening in the can wall E to admit atmospheric pressure to facilitate the easy pouring of the contents tio'nally substituted one for theother where de- 75 sired. After the disengagement of the punch 42 from the can the device is positioned at a point substantially diametrically opposite the opening formed by the punch and the inner side i! of the guide is placed against the can wall W to position the point 2| of the principal cutter above 'or in engagement with the can wall E adjacent the bead X. The device is then driven or pressed downwardly to force the cutter ll through the wall E to form the fluid discharging opening. The spout A in being in the form of a pistol grip handle as described above is adapted to be engaged and readily pressed downwardly by the operator to force the cutter ll through the end of the can. The point 2| of the cutter ll enters the can wall E adjacent the bead X and as the downward movement of the cutter progresses the diverging and inclined edges 26 enlarge the opening. The outer corners of the edges 26 operate to shear through the can wall E while the edges flatly bear against the flap F causing it to be rolled back. This leaves a clean unobstructed opening in the wall E communicating with the interior of the U-shaped cutter I l.

Upon the completion of the downward movement of the cutter I l the lip 26 and the shoulders 21 enter and wedge in the opening tightly sealing about the cutter H and resisting disengagement of the device from the can. Further, the can wall W is tightly held between the inclined cutter II and the guide B and is engaged by the teeth 35 of the cutter l2 to aid in preventing accidental disconnection of the device from the can. As the guide B moves downwardly at the exterior of the can' the teeth 35 slidably engage the wall W without forming a slit therein and hold the cutter l2 in the position where the stop 34 bears against the flat end of the plug 31. To drain or pour the contents from the can C the can is raised and tipped or inverted so that its contents pour from the spout A. The spout A is formed and proportioned to be readily inserted in the oil filling opening of the crank case of an engine and the ribs l6 and notches l5 operate to prevent tilting or slipping of the spout when the spout is supporting the device and the can on the pipe. The liquid in the can C is free to quickly drain out through the spout opening M. The openings 29 permit the free and complete drainage of fluid from around the outer side of the cutter. The recess 30 receives and traps any slight leakage that may occur around the cutter and prevents the soiling of the exteriors of the can and spout A. After the can has been emptied the device may be easily disengaged or detached from the can. During the removal or detachment of the device from the can the teeth engage the wall W and cause the cutter l2 to swing to a position where the pointed portion of the cutter enters thewall W and the cutting edge 36 faces upwardly. The cutting edge 36 operates to form a long slit S in the can wall W. The device cannot be removed or disengaged from the can C without cutting the mutilating slit S in the side wall W which positively prevents the re-use of the can. In actual operation the bead X may pass the cutter I2 without being out. This is desirable as it may be difficult to cut through the bead.

The can opening and fluid dispensing device of this invention is articularly easy and convenient to use and pro 'des for the quick complete dispensing of fluids f om sealed containers or cans. The spout A is sh ped and designed to constitute a convenient ha dle for the operation of the device. The cutter II is attached to the body I0 so that it may be readily replaced if desired or found necessary. The cutter II is firmly and rigidly attached to the body and is effectively braced but is adapted to bend or flex sufliciently to allow the bead X of the can to pass between its lower end part and the guide B. The cutter I2 is mounted in a simple effective manner and does not materially complicate the construction. The stops 34 and 31 which engage or bear against external surfaces of the guide B do not necessitate special machining of either the cutter or the uide.

Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings illustrate a" form of the invention involving a modified type of mutilating cutter Il The spout A, the guide B, the cutter ll and the punch 42 may be substantially identical with the corresponding elements in the previously described embodiment of the invention. The cutter Ill instead of being pivoted as the cutter I2, is longitudinally shiftable on the guide B to retract as the cutter H is forced into the can and to advance to its operative cutting position as the cutter H is withdrawn from the can.

The cutter l2 includes a flat plate-like base 66 and an active cutting part 6|. The base 66 of the cutter I2 is movable longitudinally in a recess 62 in the inner side of the guide B. The longitudinal walls or sides of the recess 62 are parallel and are slidably engaged by the opposite edges of the base 60. In accordance with the invention the inner wall 63 of the recess 62 is inclined downwardly and toward the inner side of the guide, considering the device positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The upper portion of the recess 62 is sufliciently deep to receive the cutter l2 so that only the outer portion or point of the cutting part 6| projects from the inner surface of the guide B to engage the side of the Iran.

The cutting part 6| is blade-like, being providedwith a downwardly and outwardly inclined cutting edge 64 on its upper side. The cutting edge 64 may be bevelled or inclined to one side surface of the cutting part, as. illustrated in the drawings. 'The lower edge 65 is inclined upwardly and outwardly to join the cutting edge 64 at a point. A longitudinal slot 66 is provided in the part l9 of the cutter'll to receive the cutting part 6|. The cutting part 6| is adapted to move through the slot 66 with only slight clearance.

In employing the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings the cutter H is driven or pushed through an end wall of a can, being guided by the guide B to cut an opening immediately adjacent the side wall of the can. During the forcing of the cutter ll through the end of the can the head at the peripheral edge of the can and the side wall of the can pass between the cutter I l and the guide B. As the cutter H moves downwardly the inclined lower edge 65 of the cutting part 6| engages the peripheral bead of the can and the cutter l2 is thus held stationary during the next phase of downward movement of the device. In this manner the cutter 12 is received in the upper portion of the recess 62 and the engagement of the edge 65 with the can causes the cutter l2 to be held outwardly against the inclined wall 63. With the cutter I2 in this retracted position the cutting part 6| projects slightly from the inner side of the guide B to engage the side wall of the can. This engagement does not cause perforation of the can wall when the can is opened by .the main cutter H After the contents have been drained from the can through the spout A the device may be disengaged from the can by engaging the spout and pulling the cutter II and guide B from the can. During this disengagement of the device from the container or can the contact of the point of the cutting part 6| with the can holds the cutter l2 against the longitudinal movement so that the inclined wall 63 forces the cutter I2 inwardly. The cutting part 6| is thus driven inwardly through the wall of the can. The point portion of. the cutter I 2 enters the slot 66 and the part I 9 of the cutter H holds the wall of the can against flexing so that the mutilating cutter ll! easily slits or cuts the can wall. The lower end wall of the recess 62 engages the base 60 of the cutter l2 to support the cutter in its operative position. From the above description of the operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 it will be seen that the cutter l2 forms a comparatively long cut or slit in the side wall of the can as the device is disengaged from the can, thus rendering the can useless for refilling.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings includes a mutilating cutter l2 projecting from the outer surface of the par-ti?! of the cutter li The cutter l2 is spaced some distance above the lower end of the cutter Il and its upper edge 10 is inclined downwardly and away from the cutter li This edge I is sharpened to constitute the cutting edge of the cutter 12 The lower edge H of the cutter i2 is inclined upwardly and outwardly to join the edge 10 at a point. The cutter I2 is rigidly attached to the cutter ll In the particular structure illustrated in the drawings the cutter l2 has a stem 12 passing through an opening in the cutter li and riveted over at the inner side of the cutter ll The riveted stem I2 operates to rigidly and dependably attach the cutter I2 to the cutter li A longitudinally elongated recess 13 is provided in the inner side of the guide B. The wall of the guide B may be thickened to provide ample material about the recess 13. The point portion of the cutter I2 projects into the lower end portion of the recess 13. The recess I3 has straight parallel side walls and a downwardly and inwardly inclined inner wall". A roller 15 is arranged in the groove 13 to move or roll longitudinally therein. The periphery of the roller I is substantially flush with the inner surface of the guideB when the roller is resting on the lower wall of the recess 13. In this position the roller 15 is directly opposite the cutter 12 A peripheral annular groove 16 is provided in the roller 15 to receive the point portion of the cutter l2 with slight clearance. The groove 16 may be V-shaped in cross section.

In operating the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings the cutter ll is driven or forced through'an end of the can and is guided by the guide 3 to make an opening immediately adjacent the bead of the can. The peripheral bead of the can and the side wall of the can are received between the guide B and the cutter Il The inclined lower edge H of the cutter 12 contacts the bead of the can to flex it outwardly into engagement with the roller 15. The roller 15 is thus held up as the device is forced downwardly and is received in the upper portion of the recess 13. During the forcing of the cutter ll through the end of the can the lower edge H of the cutter B bends or flexes the side wall of the can outwardly but may not perforate the wall of the can. Following the draining of the contents from the can the cutter ll may be withdrawn from the can to free the device for further use. During this removal of the cutter ll from the can the side wall of the can is flexed against the roller '15 by the cutter I2 and holds the roller against upward movement. The upwardly moving surface or wall 14 cooperates with the roller 15 to force the roller inwardly. The lower end wall of the recess 13 ultimately contacts the roller to position the roller opposite the cutter 12 The roller 15 forces the can wall against the cutter l2 so that the cutter It pierces the can wall and enters the groove 76 of the roller. As the upward movement of the device continues the cutting edge slits the side wall of the can forming a comparatively long cut therein which makes the can useless for refilling. The peripheral bead of the can which is rather diflicult to cut may cooperate with the roller and cutter I2 to cause flexing of the cutter II and upward movement of the roller 15 to pass the cutter It without being cut or parted. After the head of the can has passed the cutter I2 the cutter II and guide B are easily disengaged from the can.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific forms and applications herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for opening cans including a cutter, a guide in connection with the cutter to engage the side wall of a can and guide the cutter to make an opening in an end wallof the can, and

a pivoted cutter in connection with the guide for cutting an opening irr'said side wall, said pivoted cutter having a part cooperating with the said side wall to hold the pivoted cutter inoperative during inward movement of the first mentioned cutter and to render the pivoted cutter operative as the first mentioned cutter is removed from the can.

2. A device for opening cans including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to form an opening therein, a guide in connection with the cutter for engaging another wall of the can, and a pivoted cutter on the guide for cutting a slit in the second mentioned wall upon the removal of the guide and first mentioned cutter from the can, the pivoted cutter including a part cooperable with the second mentioned wall to hold the pivoted cutter inactive during inward movement of the firstmentioned cutterandto pivot the pivoted cutter to its active position during the removal of the first mentioned cutter.

3. A device for opening cans including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to form an opening therein, a guide in connection with the cutter for engaging another wall of the can, and means for mutilating the can including a cutter on the guide, and means for actuating the last mentioned cutter through the said other wall to cut an opening therein during removal of the device from the can.

4. A device for opening cans including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to .form an opening therein, a guide inconnection with the cutter for engaging another wall of the can, and means for mutilating the can including a cutter pivoted on the guide, and teeth on the pivoted cutter to engage the said other wall of the can to hold the pivoted cutter inoperative during the forming of said opening and operatable to cause projection of the pivoted cutter through said other wall upon removal of the device from the can.

5. A device for opening cans including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to form an opening therein, a guide in connection with the cutter for engaging another wall of the can, and means for inutilating the can including a pivoted cutter on the guide to engage the said other wall of the can, the pivoted cutter having a cutting edge, means holding the cutter against movement during forming of said opening in a position where the cutting edge does not act on the can, and means holding the pivoted cutter ina position where its cutting edge makes an opening in said other wall during removal of'the device from the can.

6. A device for opening cans including a body comprising a tubular spout and a guide for engaging a can, a cutter of substantially U-shaped cross section attached to the body with its shank entering the spout and its major portion in substantially side by side relation to the guide, and a lip on the body bearing outwardly between the side parts of the cutter.

7. A device for opening cans including a body comprisinga tubular spout and a guide for engaging a can, a cutter of substantially U-shaped cross section attached to the body with its shank entering the spout and its major portion in substantially side by side relation to the guide, the side parts of the cutter having inclined edges, and a lip on the end of ,the spout projecting between the side parts and having a face substantially flush with said edges for engaging the wall of the can.

8. A device for opening cans including a body comprising a longitudinally curved tubular spout a cutter of suband a guide for engaging a can,

stantially U-shaped cross section having a shank, the cutter being arranged with its shank entering the spout and its major portion in substantially side by side relation to the guide, the shanlc of the cutter being curved to conform to the interior of the spout and a trap in the end of the spoutaround the cutter for trapping leakage from around the cutter.

9. A can opener including, a body comprising a tubular spout and a guide for engaging a side wall of a can, a principal cutter on the interior of the body adapted to be forced through an end wall of the can to cut an opening therein, and a punch on the exterior of the body for making an air inlet opening in said end wall.

10. A device for opening a can including two parts, one a cutter adapted to be forced through an end of the can to cut an opening therein, the other a guide for cooperating with a wall of the can to guide the cutter, and a cutter on one of said parts shif table to a retracted position upon forcing of the first cutter into the can and shiftable to a position to cut an opening in said wall of the can upon removalof the device from the can.

11. A device for opening a can including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to form an opening therein, a guide for engaging the can to guide the cutter and having a recess, and a cutter shiftable in the recess to cut an opening in a side wall of the can when the first named:

cutter is withdrawn, the last named cutter having a part cooperable with the side wall to hold the last named cutter inoperative during the inward movement of the first named cutter.

12. A device for opening a can including a cutter adapted to be forced through a wall of a can to form an opening therein, a guide for engaging the can to guide the cutter, and a cutter on the first named cutter for cutting an opening in a side wall of the can when the device is disengaged from the can. 4

OZRO N. WISWELL. 

